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🍁 Kyoto Autumn Night Viewings & Illumination Guide 2025 🍁

🍁 Kyoto Autumn Night Illuminations & Temple Light-Ups 2025 🍁

*All information may change. Please confirm on each official website before visiting. Dates are based on 2024 information unless confirmed for 2025.

1. Ninnaji Temple “Sea of Clouds” Illumination Fri, Sat, Sun, Holidays Only
DatesOct 24 (Fri) – Dec 14 (Sun) *Fri, Sat, Sun, and Holidays only
Hours6:30 PM – 9:00 PM (Last entry 8:30 PM)
AdmissionIllumination only: Adult ¥2,800 + others
HighlightsEnjoy a mystical light-up of the Five-Story Pagoda with a "sea of clouds" effect, viewed from the Unkai Terrace.
AccessCity Bus/JR Bus "Omuro Ninnaji" stop (Immediate) ・ Map
Official SiteAutumn Leaves Sea of Clouds Illumination
2. Kodaiji & Entokuin Autumn Night Viewing
DatesOct 24 (Fri) – Dec 14 (Sun)
Hours5:00 PM (Lights on at sunset) – 10:00 PM (Last entry 9:30 PM)
AdmissionKodaiji ¥600, 3-Site Pass ¥900 + others
HighlightsPopular for projection mapping on the rock garden (Karesansui). The illuminated bamboo grove is also fantastic.
AccessApprox. 5 min walk from City Bus "Higashiyama Yasui" ・ Map
Official SiteKodaiji Temple
3. Kyoto Nishiyama Bamboo Light (Yoshimine-dera) Weekends/Holidays Only
DatesYoshimine-dera: Oct 31 (Fri) – Nov 9 (Sun) *Weekends & Holidays only
Hours6:00 PM – 8:30 PM (Last entry 8:00 PM)
AdmissionAdult ¥2,000
HighlightsDynamic bamboo lanterns and illuminated bamboo groves utilizing the vast temple grounds. A mystical, quiet experience.
AccessWalk from Kyoto Bus stop "Yoshimine-dera" ・ Map
Official SiteKyoto Nishiyama Bamboo Light
4. NAKED meets Nijo Castle: Moonlight Exhibition
DatesOct 31 (Fri) – Dec 7 (Sun)
Hours6:00 PM – 10:00 PM (Last entry 9:00 PM)
Admission(Variable pricing) Junior high students and older: From ¥2,000 + others
HighlightsAn art event combining historical architecture with the latest digital technology by NAKED. The Karamon Gate projection mapping is a highlight.
AccessImmediately outside Kyoto Subway "Nijo-jo-mae" Station ・ Map
Official SiteNAKED meets Nijo Castle 2025
5. Kenninji “Fushiki – A Zen Light Experience”
DatesNov 1 (Sat) – Nov 8 (Sat)
Hours6:00 PM – 9:00 PM (Last entry 8:30 PM)
AdmissionSpecial Night Viewing: Adult ¥2,000 + others
HighlightsA special viewing themed around experiencing Zen with all five senses. See the garden and sliding door paintings under unique lighting.
AccessApprox. 7 min walk from Keihan "Gion Shijo" Station ・ Map
Official SiteSensory Experience of ZEN and FUSHIKI
6. Kitano Tenmangu Momiji Garden Illumination
DatesNov 1 (Sat) – Dec 7 (Sun)
HoursSunset – 8:00 PM (Last entry 7:40 PM)
AdmissionAdult ¥1,200 (includes tea and sweets)
HighlightsIllumination of the autumn leaves in the natural forest located on the ruins of the "Odoi" (earthwork mound) built by Toyotomi Hideyoshi.
AccessImmediately outside City Bus "Kitano Tenmangu-mae" stop ・ Map
Official SiteKitano Tenmangu Shrine
7. Shouzan Garden Autumn Lights
DatesNov 1 (Sat) – Dec 7 (Sun)
Hours5:30 PM – 8:00 PM (Last entry 7:30 PM)
Admission¥800 per person (*Based on previous info)
HighlightsIllumination of the vast Japanese garden's autumn leaves. The vermilion bridge and waterfalls are lit up for an ethereal beauty.
AccessApprox. 5 min walk from City Bus "Do-tenjo-cho" (from Subway Kitaoji Stn) ・ Map
Official SiteShozan Resort Kyoto
8. Toji Temple Night Illumination and Special Viewing
DatesNov 1 (Sat) – Dec 14 (Sun)
Hours6:00 PM – 9:30 PM (Last entry 9:00 PM)
AdmissionAdult/High School Student ¥1,000 + others
HighlightsFamous for the "Inverted Five-Story Pagoda" reflected in the water. Enjoy the beauty of the symbolic 55m pagoda.
AccessApprox. 10 min walk from Kintetsu Railway "Toji" Station ・ Map
Official SiteToji – World Heritage Temple
9. Kurama “Path of Tengu” Light-Up
DatesNov 1 (Sat) – Nov 24 (Mon/Holiday)
Hours6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
AdmissionFree
HighlightsSimple lanterns and bamboo lights line the path from Kurama-dera Temple gate to Kurama Onsen. A free local event.
AccessImmediately outside Eizan Electric Railway "Kurama" Station ・ Map
Official SiteKurama Light-Up
10. Shoren-in Temple Main Hall Illumination [NEW!]
DatesNov 7 (Fri) – Dec 7 (Sun)
Hours6:00 PM – 10:00 PM (Last entry 9:30 PM)
AdmissionAdult ¥1,000 + others
Highlights**Reopening after 5 years.** The bamboo grove is bathed in blue light, and the ethereal garden is viewed from the Shinden (main hall).
AccessApprox. 5 min walk from Subway "Higashiyama" Station ・ Map
Official SiteShoren-in Monzeki Temple
11. Kifune Shrine Main Approach Light-Up [NEW!]
DatesNov 7 (Fri) – Nov 24 (Mon/Holiday)
Hours6:00 PM – 8:30 PM
AdmissionFree
HighlightsThe stone steps lined with vermillion Kasuga lanterns are illuminated, creating a spectacular contrast with the autumn leaves.
AccessTake Kyoto Bus from Eizan Railway "Kibuneguchi" Station to "Kifune" stop ・ Map
Official SiteKifune Shrine
12. Toyokuni Shrine Digital Light Performance [NEW!]
DatesNov 8 (Sat) – Nov 9 (Sun) (*Finished)
Hours6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
AdmissionFree
Highlights**First light-up event at Toyokuni Shrine.** A new digital art performance coloring the grounds. Food trucks will be present.
AccessApprox. 10 min walk from Keihan "Shichijo" Station ・ Map
Official SiteToyokuni Shrine
13. Ohara Hosen-in Temple Night Garden Light-Up [NEW!]
DatesNov 8 (Sat) – Dec 7 (Sun)
Hours5:45 PM – 9:00 PM (Last entry 8:30 PM)
Admission¥900 (*Based on previous info)
HighlightsIllumination of the "Bankan-en" (Contemplation Garden). The framed view of the garden from the seating area is exceptional.
AccessApprox. 15 min walk from Kyoto Bus stop "Ohara" ・ Map
Official SiteOhara Hosen-in Temple

Curated by a Kyoto Taxi Driver Guide | Updated: November 2025

© 2025 Kyoto Light-Up Guide | All rights reserved

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